Rail-bender



H. P. RODGERS.

RAIL BENDER. nrucmo mso sm. 21. ma.

Patented Jan. 1s, 1921.

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UNITED STATES 'PATENT ori-*Ica l nuenrnmcx nonsens, or necesa, INDIANA.

BAIL-BEN'DER.

To all whom t may concer/n.:

Beit known that I, HUGH PAIRICK Ronc- ERs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Dugger, in the county of Sullivan and State 'of Indiana,have invented Certain new and useful Improvementsv in Rail- Benders, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in rail bending devices of the three point jack type.

In railbending devices of-this character, there is an excessive friction between the operating ratchet wheel and the side walls of the beam which necessitates the operation of the rail bender by two men. Therefore, an important object of this invention is to provide novel means for reducing the friction between the operating ratchet wheel and the side walls of the beam, whereby the apparatus may be operated with a decreased effort.

further object of this invention is to provide a rail bender of the class described which is of highly simplified construction, few in parts, and desirable in use.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent during the course of the following description.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application and in which like numerals are employed to designate like parts throughout the same,

Figure 1 is a plan view of a rail bending apparatus embodyingr the invention,

Fig. 2is a side elevation of the same,

Fig. 3 is a transverse section taken on line 3--3 of Fig. 1,

Fig. 4 is an elevation of a ratchet wheel embodying the invention.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary side elevation of one of the tensioning screws.

ln. the drawing wherein for the purpose of illustration is shown a preferred embodiment of the invention, the numeral 5 generally designates the improved rail bender having a comparatively heavy beam or bridge 6. As illustrated in Fig. 1, the forward end portion of the bridge or beam 6 is curved as indicated at'7 for extending over a rail 8. 'A transverse socket or opening 9 is formed in one side of the forward end portion of the beam for providing a grip which engages opposite sides of the rail. The beam is provided intermediate its ends Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented J an. 18, 1921.

Application tiled September 27, 1919. Serial No. 326,747.

with a boss 10 having threaded engagement with a tension screw 11 which as illustrated in Fig. 1 extends transversely of the beam and is provided with a clamp 12. The clamp 12 is provided on opposite sides with sockets 13 whereby the clamp may be engaged with either side of the rail as may be desired. The rear end portion of the beam is provided with a longitudinally extending slot or opening 14 opening out through opposite sides of the same and receiving a. ratchet wheel 15.' A second tensioning screw 16 has threaded engagement with the ratchet wheel and is extended through openings 17 in the side walls of the socket 14. As the ratchet wheel 15 is rotated. a longitudinal movement is imparted to the tensioning screw which moves a grip 18 formed on the forward end of the same either forwardly or rearwardly according to the direction of rotation of the ratchet wheel. A pair of apertured ears 19 are formed on the upper side of the beam of the opposite sides of the opening 14 and piv- 'into frictional contact with the side walls of the socket 111 upon operating the tensioning screw in either direction. The frictional contact between the side of the ratchet wheel. and the side walls of the socket renders the apparatus extremely difficult to operate and the services of two men are generally required. To eliminate this excessive friction and wearing between the parts, an annular series of anti-friction elements 25 are carried by opposite sides of the ratchet wheel and are adapted to engage the inner side walls of the socket.

In this case, the anti-friction elements 25 are of ball bearing and are Secured within recesses inthe ratchet wheel by contact with the side walls of the socket. With reference to Fig. 2, it will be noted that the antifriction elements do not extend above the npper'and lower sides of the beam and are therefore prevented from accidental displacement.

In the practice of the invention, the grips are secured to the rail as indicated in Fig. 1,' and the handle 24 is operated to rotate the ratchet wheel 15 the proper direction. Owing to the resistance of the rail or other material to be bent, the side thrust on the ratchet wheel is taken up by the ball bearings and the apparatus may therefore be operated without excessive resistance.

It is to be understood that the form of the invention herewith shown and described is to be taken as the preferred example of the same and that such minor changes in arrangement and construction of parts may be made as will remain within the spirit of the invention and the scope of what is claimed.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

l. A rail bending device including a beam having its forward portion curved longitudinally and formed with rail-engaging means, the rear end portion of said beam being provided with a longitudinal opening extending through its upper and lower sides, a ratchet wheel arranged within the said opening, a tensioning screw extending through said opening and having threaded engagement with said ratchet wheel, the o pposite sides of said ratchet wheel being provided with annular series of recesses spaced inwardlyT from the periphery of the wheel, ball bearings arranged in said annular series of recesses and engaging` the side walls of said openings inwardly of the upper and lower sides of the beam, an operating device for said ratchet wheel, and a tensioning screw having threaded engagement with the intermediate portion of said beam and provided with rail-gripping means.

2. A rail bending device including an elongated beam having its forward portion curved laterally and provided with a socket adapted for the reception of a rail, the rear end portion of said elongated beam being provided with a longitudinal opening extending out through its upper and lower sides, a ratchet wheel arranged within said opening and provided on opposite sides with annular series of recesses, ball bearings arranged in said annular series of recesses and engaging the side walls of said opening for taking up the thrust on said ratchet wheel, a screw extending through said opening and having threaded engagement with said ratchet wheel, the forward portion of said screw being provided with rail-engaging means, a second screw carried by the intermediate portion of said beam and pro- `vided with rail-engaging means, a pair of spaced apertured ears carried by the upper side of said beam on opposite sides of the opening in the same, a pair of spaced parallel arms pivotally connected to said ears, a pawl pivoted to the forward portions of said arms and having its forward portion formed with outwardlyT diverging teeth adapted to engage the teeth of said ratchet wheel, and a handle carried by the rear portions of said arms, said pawl being adapted for rotating said ratchet wheel in either a clockwise or an anti-clockwise direction.

ln testimony whereof I aflix my sign aturc.

HUGH PAIRICK RODGERS. [L s] 

